About

Emily Cullen is a pen-name.

I suffer from chronic illnesses and diseases which include Asthma, Diabetes and Fibromyalgia. I had battled Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis but there is no longer evidence of me having these diseases and my Rheumatologist has declared them to be “burnt out” of my system. I am separated from my husband, “Grant”. Our son, “Tyler” was born in September of 2006 and suffers from tics and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and is delayed in fine and gross motor skills.

In my blog I seek to let sick moms know that they are not the only ones going through this, and to educate people about what can happens when one becomes catastrophically ill. I also strive to break down stereotypes of what a “Welfare Mom” is like. Anything that I have gone through due to being sick, is written on the pages of Mama Sick.

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15 Responses to About

“Tyler” is a beautiful little boy and I can see why you’d want to blog about him. I can fully understand the challenges you have with illnesses and the consequences because of them. My husband has interstitial cystitis, ulcerative colitis and fibromyalgia, takes tons of medication and is permanently disabled. It’s been the biggest challenge of our lives, since he was the strongest man I ever knew before. But we are finding ways to manage within the confines of his illnesses.

I am curious, though. You mentioned you were a radio personality a while back. Why don’t you use your real name to get the word out about your blog, so that you can make some real income from it? With a high-profile name, you could rake in the bucks using affiliate marketing on your site, or even selling e-books or other products.

Sorry you are having lots of problems with health and medication. I was sick for decades and I’m still far from well, but the chronic pain is no more. I was prescribed a simple medicine and it works like magic. It’s not suitable for you unfortunately. My point is you make the best of life, even if it’s filled with pain and hope for the best. It can happen. I have just stopped taking addictive drugs and I’m getting a better quality of life – and blogging!

Thanks for following me on twitter, We are having a Lupus Health Expo 2012 in Atlanta, My wife has Lupus and I am determined to get a cure. I could use as much help getting the word out as possible. please visit our web site for the details on the expo, I am seeking Vendors that can offer help: Clothing, healthy eating, sun protection, ect. There is no miracle cure but there are steps that can be taken to manage the day better. Any help you can give me would be great. Feel free to call my office 877-467-7726 Leonard

I love that you’ve found blogging and writing so fulfilling and also using it to reach out to others. What a winning combination. Glad I stopped by. Best wishes to you, “Emily,” and to your family.Barb´s last blog post ..Winter Help to Get You Out the Door

Hi Emily: I can see how blogging can be so fulfilling for you with your wonderful husband, children and pets.I have a similar story to blog about in the near future. I’m an living in the Philippines with my wife and two kittens in our five bedroom house. Yes it’s a big home for just us but I have the most wonderful visitors often. The children from the province are over often and on Sundays, we have a big dinner for them and their parents. Emily,such cute kids from the mudslides and recent earthquake are here all the time. I have so many pics. to post. I lived in the Province for six months before we moved to town so I know a lot of new friends in the foothills and the mountains. Those pics. of the foothills are at sandcommander. The kids, kittens and mountains will be posted at my google blog soon. To sum it up: These things and more keep me in high spirits through the pain .

Hi Emily,
I actually came across your blog as I was researching to see if anything like this was currently around. I, too, am a “sick mama”. I was diagnosed at 25 with MS, and also had cervical cancer when I was 31. I also like you have a little boy, mine is 4. I feel for you and understand alot of what you wrote. I don’t think a day goes by that I am not somehow reminded of what I have and question what is going to come. Not being able to work anymore either, I too am trying to figure how I can help people, especially young women who are going through life dealing with chronic illnesses.
Wishing you healthiness!!
Take Care,

Hmm you have lupus among other things,this really sounds like symptoms of Lyme disease to me,it is so often misdiagnosed as other diseases.Have you ever been tested for Lyme?Or were you ever bitten by a tick?

I suffer from Lyme and it sucks but I still manage from day to day,I still run a full-time business,but only through God am I able to do this.If I didn’t have God on my side I know I wouldn’t be here today!I’m only 21 and I have a whole life ahead of me yet some days I feel like I’m 90 years old LOL it’s crazy.Just thought I’d ask you about Lyme as your symptoms are just identical to Lyme and it is so often misdiagnosed it’s unbelievable.

I hope you are doing better. By a strange twist of fate, since I last commented here; I too, have been diagnosed with lupus. It is giving me a few aches and pains, but it seems fairly low level. We are having a lot of rain in England which is making life a little more challenging at the moment. I started a new website so things aren’t so bad! I think it’s important to keep busy and active. I shall be out taking photographs again, if the rain ever stops!Mike Maynard´s last blog post ..The Frugal Diet | Seafood.

E- i’m not on twitter much – just read about you all having to split and move due to health – so sorry to hear. It must be so difficult on all of you. sending love, spoons and hugs. I hope it’s ‘working’ so far….
linda

I so enjoy reading your blog .while I don’t have lupus ,I have a long list from fibromyalgia, mixed connective tissue disease ,sjogrens, raynauds, menieres , degenerative disc disease ,sarcoidosas & now stage 4 non hodgkins lymphoma. Sad to say that one needs a lot of $ to get the best medical care, I once did & as u know I have had to beg for the most basic care .

I recently discovered your blog. I am a mother with a chronic illness and I have been looking for others in similar circumstances. While I am always sad to hear another person is suffering through this, I am glad to find others who can relate to the challenges I face.

Hi Emily,
So sorry that you have so many awful conditions. I only have CNS lupus and that alone has caused huge problems for me. I can’t begin to imagine how I would cope with other illnesses on top of that! I wish you peace and patience on your journey

I have a Tyler too, except he’s 20. But he was ten when I got sick and his sister was 7 so I too am a sick mama, which I feel so guilty about. I’ve missed so many important events in their lives and my lupus is not an invisible disease to them at all, so they have a hard time dealing with it.

I know all too well what life with chronic illness is like. I have RA as well as Fibro and depression. I too have a daughter that has special needs. It’s not easy that is for sure. I often feel guilty when I want to take care of my health issues when it means I can’t meet all the needs of my two kids and have to have my Mom help out for a day or afternoon so I can rest. My daughter who is almost 8 says she “hates RA” because it took her Mom away.Alecia´s last blog post ..Setting Sun